POULSBO — Caps soared, tassels were turned and diplomas were taken firmly in hand by the graduates of North Kitsap High School during the Class of 2018’s commencement ceremony, June 15.

Principal Megan Sawicki first addressed the crowd at North Kitsap Stadium.

“What an honor, to have the opportunity to celebrate with you tonight,” Sawicki began. “I’d like to start by congratulating not just the graduating class, but also to the families, friends and teachers who have helped you along the way.”

For every graduate sitting here today, there is a team of people who have worked hard to get you to this day. Congratulations to everyone here who has helped shape each of these graduates into the amazing young adults you see in front of us today. They are ready to take on the world because of your guidance and care. Thank you.”

The North Kitsap High School Concert Choir, under the direction of Sylvia Cauter, performed a rendition of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.”

Valedictorian Ryan Shane brought some levity to the affair while offering words of advice to his classmates.

“Throughout our high school careers, most of us exhibited a few common things. Usually these things were teenage angst and embarrassing voice cracks, but we also showed our seemingly instinctive need to strive for success. We emulate those we admire, we aspire toward the pinnacle of what we deem to be important, we dream. And for many of us, our parents have to intervene and say, ‘No, being Spider-man does not count as a real job aspiration.’”

Shane explained that tackling goals and following dreams can be done either by charging headlong down one’s intended path, or by being patient and carefully calculating a route through life.

“Persistent patience has the power to dissolve any particular problems that impede you. You can sit back, lie in wait, see which way the wind blows and make a careful decision after deliberation,” Shane said. “Our challenge will be to deduce which method of goal tackling will bring us the greatest joy in life.”

Worry, Shane added, can make happiness seem like an unattainable goal and often impedes success and productivity. When worry reared its ugly head, Shane advised his classmates to look to their family and friends.

“Remember that your family, your friends, all of us sitting next to you, are here to help you, should you stumble and fall. We’re with you until the end of the line, thus don’t let worry or anything else prevent you from attaining your goals,” Shane said.

Hannah Groetsch, 2018’s salutatorian took to the stage to congratulate the students on their success despite the trials of high school life.

“In the past four years, we’ve aged like President Obama in the White House — going from bright-eyed, baby-faced freshmen, to sleepwalking seniors whose sole purpose is finding our next caffeine source,” Groetsch said.

“Yet, even though slightly tired, the class of 2018 has dominated in all aspects of high school life. We participated in amazing extracurriculars, racking up sports titles, volunteer hours and victories in band and choir competitions.”

Groetsch also noted the Class of 2018’s forays into student activism by participating in nationwide walk-outs protesting gun violence in schools and a student-led campaign to save the bees.

In her speech, Groetsch channeled the late Fred Rogers through one of Rogers’ quotes about helping others.

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘look for the helpers, you will always find people who are helping.’” Groetsch said. “Being a helper means becoming involved whether that’s in local issues or international affairs. It means volunteering in your community, voting for issues you’re passionate about and generally seeing where you can do good, even when it is hard and especially when it is hard.”

A moment of silence was held for two students who would not be among those crossing the stage to get their diploma and celebrate with their friends. Representatives for the families of Emily Ramm and Hunter Schaap accepted honorary diplomas on behalf of the students. Ramm passed away after falling from a ladder in a construction site in August, 2016. Schaap was one of the four members of the Careaga family murdered in January, 2017.

“From this day forward, you are responsible for your choices, actions and the impact you make on those around you,” Sawicki said. “After today, this is no longer the case. I don’t say this to frighten or intimidate you, I say it because you are ready.”

Sawicki offered eight pieces of advice for the departing seniors to keep in mind as they go out into the world:

• Make sure you start each day with an accomplishment, even if it’s a small one.

• Take action in your life, stop dreaming and start doing. Make a plan and stick to it.

• Very few of you will be earning your desired paycheck right out of school.

• You are going to mess up sometimes.

• Learn how to cook and do your own laundry.

• Don’t take life too seriously.

• Sometimes adulthood can be lonely, remember that you are loved and we are proud of you.

• If you ever feel like you’re making it up as you go along, you probably are, but all of the other adults around you are making it up too.

“Graduates, it’s up to you now. You will just have to make it up like the rest of us. Go out and live fulfilling lives, leave the world a better place for having been here. I wish you all the very best that life has to offer.”

Shortly after collecting their diplomas and shaking hands with superintendent Laurynn Evans, the students threw their caps into the air and departed the field for the final time as students of North Kitsap High School, thus marking one of the major milestones in what will hopefully be a long road of successes ahead.

—Nick Twietmeyer is a reporter with Kitsap News Group. Nick can be reached at ntwietmeyer@soundpublishing.com.